Background:

Structure and function of the human brain are immensely complex and so are the underlying mechanisms for brain disorders and diseases. Many different measurement modalities are available: both, invasive ones, like intracranial electrical or optical recordings, and non-invasive ones, like electro/magnetoencephalography (EEG, MEG), functional, anatomical and diffusion magnetic resonance tomography (fMRI, MRI, dMRI), and positron emission tomography (PET). Each of these techniques provides information on a different aspect of brain function or structure. Hence, each single measurement provides us with a rather incomplete picture. The combination of several such measurement modalities therefore promises greatly enhanced scientific insight and diagnostic power. Moreover, this approach might offer the possibility to replace very costly diagnostic tools, like MRI, with combinations of cheaper techniques. Although, most ideally, the different data types are measured simultaneously, this can pose substantial challenges. Often, one has to combine separate measurements from more or less comparable experimental settings. This requires substantial efforts concerning spatio-temporal registration, co-modeling and interpretation of these multimodal data-sets. Data fusion theory and advanced techniques from image processing and biophysical modeling play a central role here. Of special importance is the careful analysis of the respective performance and limitations of the modalities. Only, if we exactly know, what we measure with each of the particular techniques, we can successfully combine them to form a more general picture.

Aims: 

The main objective of the International Summer School is to provide in depth education on techniques of recording and analyzing multi-modal data from invasive and non-invasive brain measurements, covering both theoretical foundations and practical applications in research in clinical practice. It aims at a thorough understanding of the underlying mechanisms and thus will develop a critical view on current applications and possible future developments.
The second important aim of the International Summer School consist in providing contact with both leading experts in the field and other students with similar interests. This way, the meeting will facilitate the exchange of ideas on latest developments and help to build professional networks.
By completing a scientific project, the students will obtain more detailed knowledge on the topic, learn about unsolved and controversial issues and improve their abilities in the fields of scientific writing and oral presentation. 

Thematic Structure

The following aspects of multimodal brain measurements will be covered:

• Thorough discussion of the properties of the various measurement modalities with respect to spatial and temporal resolution, degree of invasiveness and the aspects of brain function/structure reflected.
• Possibilities of combined recording of multimodal brain data, with special emphasis to the associated challenges and the added value.
• Techniques for the joint analysis of, both, separately and simultaneously recorded data, including image registration and multimodal modeling.
• Possibilities to diagnose brain disorders and diseases, as well as to gain insight into the underlying mechanisms by multimodal recordings.

Didactic Structure

The main ingredients of the didactic concept are:

• oral presentations by renowned experts in the respective field of research,
• self-study time for elaborating and discussing the presented topics,
• panel discussions for discussion issues that have come up during the talks and the self-study time,
• project work by the participants in small groups,
• presentation and evaluation of the work of the students, and
• social program.

Target group:  (up to 40 participants)

• PhD students
• Advanced Master students
• Researchers entering the field computational neuroscience, neuroscience methodology and experimental neuroscience

Final schedule:

Credits: 4 ECTS

The 6th International Summer School in Biomedical Engineering will be back to back with the fourth INCF Workshop " Latin American Summer School on Neuroinformatics". This gives participants the unique opportunity to take part in both high level scientific events.

Registration:

For registration please send an e-mail with the following contact data: first name, last name, position (e.g. PhD student), Institution with address, telephone, fax, and e-mail to Gabriela Hey.

gabi.hey(at)tu-ilmenau.de

In response, you will receive a registration number and the payment details. The preliminary registration secures you a place on the list for three weeks, within which you should transfer the money. Registration becomes valid upon reception of the fee. Refund of the registration fee will be given upon cancellation before July 31st 2013.

Please make sure to state your registration number as reason of payment!

Costs:

580 Euro including tuition, 13 overnight stays, breakfast, lunch, coffe breaks and social program.

Posters:

Optionally, all participants will have the opportunity to present own work with a poster during the summer school.

Venue:

The International Summer School 2013 will take place at the Universidad de las Ciencias Informáticas in the municipality of La Lisa in Havana, Cuba.

The university will provide air-conditioned classrooms and laboratories for lectures and project work. The laboratories are equipped with computers and internet access.

The postal address of the venue is: Universidad de las Ciencias Informáticas Carretera a San Antonio de los Baños, Km. 2 ½, Torrens, municipio de La Lisa La Habana Cuba

Accommodation:

Accommodation, restaurant / market and leisure facilities will be provided at the university as well. The accomodations consist of air-conditioned appartments with multiple bedrooms, shared living room, kitchen, bathroom (including hot water) and internet connection. The bedrooms are double rooms.

The leisure facilities include a gym, sport areas, swimming pool, cafeterias (24 hrs.), shops, post office and a disco. A bank / currency exchange is located near the campus.

Posters:

Optionally, all participants will have the opportunity to present own work with a poster during the summer school.

Detailed information about the registered poster presentations are provided in the internal download area.

Please log in to list all internal documents for participants.

Link